a J T ct V( Cl IV: P s< Cl P a fi a D t 2 i C i i < 1 i Eleven stacks of wheat, the property of Mr P. Madden, were destroyed by fire at Wakanui last evening. Mr Madden and his family retired for the night at about nine p.m., and an hour later ware aroused by the glare of fire. It was discovered that two blocks of stacKß, nearly half a mite apart, were on fire, and the whole were destroyed, notwithstanding the efforts made to suppress the flames Me Thomas Bullock, J.P. , presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and cautioned and discharged a Bacchanal, who made his first appearance before the Court. The Glasgow Mail relates the following anecdote of General Gordon In the last fortnight of his stay in England, before ' hia departure for Khartoum, he met a beggar in the lanes of Hampshire, near Southampton ; and that beggar, monsuo, pitched to him a wondrous pitiful tale. Gordon had but one coin in his pocket, I and that coin was a sovereign, which he ! readily subscribed for the benefit of the beggar. An hour later he discovered from a police officer that the beggar was a hoary imposter. Gordon immediately proceeded to select the thickest ash cudgel hia house could supply. He walked fifteen miles, and succeeded in laying hands upon the delinquent, whom he trounced within a few inches of hia life. Unfortuately, he forgot to ask for the sovereign back again ; and three days later he went to Khartoum. The tea meeting and concert held on Tuesday evening last in St Stephen’s schoolroom was not so well attended as the promoters expected, but those who were present appeared thoroughly satisfied with the excellent tea and the varied programme of music provided for their delectation. Songs were given by Mrs Crisp, Miss Gates, and Messrs G. D. Branson, H. A. Gates, H. Pickford, J. G. Rose and J. W. Jones, a duet by Miss Gates and Mr Stephenson, and a flute obligato by Mr'G. Jameson. The choir, under the leadership of Mr H. Gates, randereJ some appropriate pieces, which were well received. Mrs Branson and Mrs A. Claridge acted as accompanists with their usu il success. There is a theory advanced by scientists that if you whisper in the ear of a sleeping man the impression of your words will be conveyed to hia mind as by a dream. We* recently experimented with this theory, says the Boston Post, and it worked very satisfactorily. A noted Western scout who boasted of having slain 200 Indiana, was stopping at the hotel where we reside. We entered into his room and whispered in his ear, “ We are attacked by Indians! The red devils are upon us !” Did he spring up, grab for a fray ? He did arise from the bed, and he crawled under it. There can be no doubt that the theory is correct. A meeting of the members of the Ashburton Club was held at Fowler’s Building last evening, Mr S. Nelson, the President, occupying the chair. The Chairman reported the routine business transacted by the Committee since last meeting. Applications were received for the ap- , pointmeut of steward, and that of Mr Andrews accepted. It was resolved—- “ That a cold collation bo held on Monday ; evening next to formally eaJebrate the opening of the Club, and that Messrs ; Fowler, Robertson, Hoult and the ate- , ward be a committee to make all arrange- ] ments in connection therewith. ” Several < members present promised to make dona- f tinns of books and periodical* toward the t library of the Club. i Herr Kreutzhuber is a member of the ® secret police. Being on his way home ' after midnight he observes on the street 1 lamp a placard : 11 Ha ! these scoundrels of Socialists have posted a placard de- 1 nouncing his Majesty,” said Kreutzhuber 1 to himself. Being determined to destroy c the placard he painfully climbs up the ‘ lamp post, and haying secured the trea- nsonable document be reads, “ Fresh v Paint ” 0 Balmy sleep, good digestion, nth blood, 6 clastic step and cheerfulness in American 1 Co.’s Hop Bitters. Read and believe. That husband of mine is three limes the d man he was before he began using “ Wells x Health Rer.ewer.” Druggists. The N.Z P Drug Co., General Agents. 2 d Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, etc,, are quickly rl cured by using Baxter’s “ Lung Preserver. . d This old-established medicine is pleasant '.to n the palate, and highly extolled by members of a: the medical and clerical profession. Read ad- P vqrtisement, . cl

A meeting of the Committee of the nthven library was held on Monday ,st. Present—Messrs Allington, Duff, Hibbs and J. Jackson. In the absence f the Chairman Mr Allington presided, he Secretary reported that he bud relived the sum of Lll 7s from the Goernment, being the grant-in-aid for the urrei't year. The Librarian reported that Ir H. Mcl'raiib, of Broompark, had resented the library with a useful asortment of well bound books, and a parel of periodicals and parliamentary iapers. It was unanimously resolved that , vote of thanks bo passed to Mr Mcllraith or his handsome and valuable present, md that the same be recorded on the* ninutes. It was decided to give ;an en,attainment in the schoolroom on May J2nd, in aid of the funds of the library. offer from the Methven Amateur Dhris'y Minstrels to assist on the occasion (vaß accepted with thanks. The Dunedin Star in commenting upon the correspondence that has appeared in our columns with reference to “ the oxpoliceman," refers to Mr 11. W. Green and the Mev J. P. Oliver. As most of our readers are aware the titles should have been reversed. The Hon Mr Ballance was expected to arrive in Ashburton by the express this morning, but did not do so. His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. C. Walker and a number i f press representatives wore in attendance at the railway station for somo time awaiting th * arrival of the Minister, but ultimately dispersed without any definite information as to the gentlem m’s whereabouts. Later it was underatooi Mr Ballance would ariive by the 4 35 tiain this afternoon. We are pleased to learn that the minimum amount of capital required to float the new Woollen Factory Co. has already been subscribed, and active operations at the Factory will be commenced at an early date. At a musical soiree a lady, after executing an intermin'ble piano solo, faints dead away. A gentleman, with great promptitude, seizes a glass of water and administers a few drops to the lady, who revives. Then, with a compassionate cry, “ Now for the other sufferer,” he pours the remainder of the wa er on the piano A general meeting of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the old Council Chambers, Burnett street, last evening. There were sixteen members of the Brigade present, and Mr W. B. Dolman occupied the chair. Messrs P. Walker and A. Christie, having been approved of by the Borough Council, were elected members of the Brigade. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. Mr Keir announced that he had induced Mr J. A. Caygi'l to offer himself for election as Captain, and the other candidates having withdrawn, Mr Caygill was d.dared duty elected. Messrs Dolman, Keir and Davia having been nominated for the office of Lieutenant, the two latter gentlemen withdrew, and Mr Dolman was elected. A ballot was taken for the office of Foreman, resulting in a tie between the two gentlemen nominated and the Chairman gave his casting vote in favor of Mr Wilmshurst. Mr Davis was elected DeputyjForeraan,Mr Keir, Treasurer, and Mr R. Christie, Secretary. The following gentlemen were elected as a Working 0 mmittee for tho month, viz : —Messrs Young, Parkin, Sandoe, Walker, and Harrop. uring the evening the members expressed themselves as pleased with the proposal made by the Borough Council for the simply of uniforms, but tho Ohairmm said he had not yet received any old ;ial communication on the subject. The roll having been called the meeting a Ijourned. Madame Pauline Rita and Mr John Radcliff, the former a vocalist of great merit, and the latter described as “ the world’s greatest fl must,” will appear at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Wills street, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings next. An extended notice of these artistes will appear in our next issue. We remind our readers of the Masonic dress concert to be held in the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, to-morrow evening. An excellent programme has been arranged, which will be carried out under the direction of Mr S. Wolf, and «eve r al performers new to Ashburton audiences will assist. The preparation of the comic onera “ H. M >S. Pinafore” by tho Ashburton Choral and Orchestral Societies is making most satisfactory progress. The oast has bee i somewhat changed, and while appreciating the efforts of the previous performers, wo think the alterations will contribute towards the increased success of the opera. Mrs Wolf will fill the part of Josephine, and the re-appearance of this talented lady will in itself prove a greit additional attraction. Mr J. W. Jones will sustain the role of Sir Joseph Porter, and we have no doubt will do so with satisfaction to his audience and credit to himself. Tho third cheap excursion train from Christchurch to Timaru passed through Ashburton at 11 o’clock this morning It comprised fifteen carriages, which were all crowded with excursionists. Telegrams, giving interesting particulars of the operations of the New South Wales contingent in the Soudan, appear in this issue. The Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press telegraphed yesterday: —This morning’s New Zealand Times has the fo lowing :—“Yesterday the Government received from the Agent-Gene-ral a telegram stating that the position of aftkirsbetween England and Russia was still very serious, and that it behoved New Zialand, in common with all other parts of the Empire, to hasten tho comp'etion of its defence preparations.” It is clear, therefore, that Sir Francis Dillon Bell believes war to be imminent; and there certainly appears to be good grounds for the opinion, if we may judge by the intelligence which every day comes to hand. Upon enquiry of Ministers as to the truth of the statement, 1 was informed that it was little short of pure fiction. The only cable received yesterday from the Agent-General on the subject simply stated the affairs of Russia still look serious. This was the statement of the Colonial Treasurer. Notwithatandr ing the statement of the Times, that the cable was received by the Government from the Agent-General, a member of the staff afterwards asserted that the published information was obtained from His Excellency the Governo*-. Upon learning this Sir Julius Yogel despatched his Private Secretary ,to His Excellency, and received a message to the effect that no such information had been received by His Excellency, and was not, therefore, communicated to the iVeto Zealand Times. It seems good and necessary to make this explanation in the hope of allaying unnecessary anxiety which may have resulted from the dissemination of sensational and exaggerated rumours having little truth in fact. He entered the coal office with a small market basket on his arnt “ Giya me a son of coal.” “ Yes, sir,” replied tfie joal merchant; “ where shall I send it P '* Oh, just put It into this basket ; I’ll jarry it home myself." “ But we have a vaggon right here and can send i' up at >nce. ” “No; lean carry the coal easy mough, but you might send the bill up n a waggon.”— Pottsville Chron. A other unfortunate.—Again we must draw he attention of our readers to the fact that a £2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra>ery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, traling in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, "now bankupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of he Hall, High street, for or ° ul y a ittle over one-third of its value. H. E. M, nd Co. are now selling it at half the marked nice, which surely ought to seenre a speedy learance,

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